[with obj.]resist an attack made on (someone or something); protect from harm or danger 保卫,保护 we shall defend our island, whatever the cost. 我们要不惜任何代价保卫我们的岛。 ■speak or write in favour of (an action or person); attempt to justify 为…辩护 he defended his policy of imposing high rates. 他为自己征收高地方税额的政策进行辩护。 ■conduct the case for (the party being accused or sued) in a lawsuit 为(被告)辩护 the lawyer had defended dissidents. 该律师曾为持不同政见者辩护。 ■compete to retain (a title or seat) in a contest or election 竞争中保住(头衔,席位) he won the party's nomination to defend the Welsh seat. 他赢得该党的提名,以争取保住威尔士的席位。 [as adj. defending]the defending champion. 卫冕冠军。 ■[no obj.](in sport) protect one's goal or wicket rather than attempt to score against one's opponents (体育用语)防守
派生 defendable adjective 语源
Middle English: from Old French defendre, from Latin defendere, from de- 'off' + -fendere 'to strike'. Compareoffend